Half a month later.
After a round of careful selection, Ning Rongrong finally chose her Second Soul Ring.
"Second Soul Skill, amplify!"
As Ning Rongrong's voice rang out.
Ji Hongchen felt all his attributes increase by at least 50%. He had to admit that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support abilities were truly powerful.
If he brought Ning Rongrong along.
The strength he could display would rise to yet another level.
They returned to their lodgings.
Ning Fengzhi and the others went back to rest, ready to begin preparations for the engagement banquet in a few days. After all, the talent Ji Hongchen had displayed had given them a sense of urgency.
That old poison master Dugu Bo was still watching like a tiger eyeing its prey.
Retreating into his room.
Ji Hongchen examined his true-body armor. Both forearms were now completely covered. Once he reached Soul Ancestor, perhaps it would cover his entire arms.
Of course, there was also his third sword!
Ji Hongchen took a deep breath, and a brilliant golden longsword appeared in his hand. Its blade was slender, its hilt simple yet elegant, and it radiated a faint golden glow.
"I'll call you Golden Rainbow!"
He tested Golden Rainbow's effects.
A ripple spread through the surrounding space, and Ji Hongchen's strength rose another level.
It was actually a domain!
Golden Rainbow came with a Peerless Domain!
Once he entered the Peerless Domain, he became immune to all control skills. All his attributes increased by 50%, while his enemies suffered 30% suppression.
Invincible!
The boosts from his three Soul Skills, combined with the Peerless Domain, brought his total boost straight up to 250%. Counting the other boosts to individual attributes, it was even more terrifying.
If he included Ning Rongrong, his personal support powerhouse.
A 300% increase to all attributes!
That did not even include the enhancements from his true-body armor and Sword Dao Soul Core. Adding those would make it even more terrifying.
You're invincible, kid.
He would show the world what truly overwhelming stats looked like.
"Right, after breaking through to Soul Elder, I seem to have unlocked quite a few more abilities."
Ji Hongchen examined the information in his mind.
Within the Sword Sect Insights.
There was also an art of pill refinement. If he learned it, he could refine those immortal herbs into pills, undoubtedly making their effects even more pronounced.
"In a few days, I can try visiting the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Now that I have backing, I can finally reveal my edge!"
That day.
Ji Hongchen visited the Ye Family's herbal shop.
Besides buying some medicinal ingredients to practice with, he had another goal: borrowing the various herbal compendiums treasured by the Ye Family.
When Ye Qingxian saw that her visitor was Ji Hongchen, a trace of complicated emotion entered her eyes. After learning that he belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had felt a little uneasy.
Ji Hongchen noticed Ye Qingxian's unease as well.
"Aunt Ye, are you afraid of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Seeing how direct Ji Hongchen was, Ye Qingxian stopped hiding it and nodded. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength is not to be underestimated. Small families like ours naturally feel wary."
After all, Ning Fengzhi was a blackhearted sect master.
Although their Ye Family had not been suppressed, both were families of support-type Soul Masters, so some competition between them was inevitable.
What was more.
Their Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia was reputed to bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bare bones. That ability made the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect quite wary.
Ji Hongchen understood what Ye Qingxian was thinking.
"There's no need to worry, Aunt Ye. Since both our Martial Souls are support types, we should naturally look out for one another. One more friend is better than one more enemy. I believe my father-in-law thinks so too."
In truth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had no need to be wary of the Ye Family.
After all, the Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia had far too narrow a specialty, and only two people could possess it at any given time. That restriction was too great for the family to grow powerful, so they posed no real threat.
Hearing Ji Hongchen's words, Ye Qingxian breathed a sigh of relief. She had also heard that he carried considerable weight within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
He was the foundation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's next generation.
"Right, didn't you want to borrow our Ye Family's Herbal Compendium, little fellow? Come with me." Ye Qingxian's tone softened considerably.
Ji Hongchen followed behind Ye Qingxian.
Before long, they entered the Ye Family's study.
After rummaging around for a while, Ye Qingxian handed Ji Hongchen a thick Herbal Compendium. "This records every medicinal herb known to our Ye Family, along with some legendary immortal herbs. I hope it helps you."
Ji Hongchen accepted the Herbal Compendium, gratitude filling his heart.
"Thank you, Aunt Ye."
On the way back, Ji Hongchen bought some special metals and minerals, then commissioned a blacksmith to forge a pill furnace for him using the finest materials.
After all, now that he had money, there was no need to be too stingy.
He returned home.
Ji Hongchen opened the Herbal Compendium and began studying the effects of various medicinal herbs. In the afternoon, he practiced the art of pill refinement to prepare for refining pills.
At night, he practiced his swordsmanship beneath the moonlight.
Thanks to his increased spiritual power, Ji Hongchen studied the Herbal Compendium quickly, and his progress in pill refinement advanced by leaps and bounds. He could already refine some ordinary pills.
He could also refine some high-grade pills.
Generally, however, only two or three batches out of ten succeeded.
And so, three days later.
Ning Rongrong burst into Ji Hongchen's room with delight written all over her face. Excitedly grabbing his arm, she said, "Brother Hongchen, my dad has finished preparing the engagement banquet! Hurry and come get changed with me."
Ji Hongchen was pulled out of his room.
Soon, they arrived at the largest and most luxurious banquet hall in all of Heaven Dou City. At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's invitation, almost all the Heaven Dou nobles had come to attend.
Ji Hongchen changed into formal attire in the back.
"Brother Hongchen, you look handsome in anything."
Ning Rongrong gazed at Ji Hongchen with a lovestruck expression, unable to tear her eyes away. She held his arm and refused to leave his side.
Soon, the two entered the banquet hall.
As they arrived, everyone turned to look.
From time to time, nobles approached to strike up conversations. Ji Hongchen welcomed them all and soon mingled comfortably among them.
By evening.
The banquet was nearing its end.
Inside a room.
Ning Fengzhi was chatting happily with a young man dressed in distinguished attire.
"Teacher, what is this Ji Hongchen like? Could you introduce me to him? As a talented young man of Heaven Dou, he interests me greatly."
"Of course."
Ning Fengzhi smiled.
Before long, Ji Hongchen walked in with Ning Rongrong.
Xue Qinghe's gaze quickly settled on Ji Hongchen. Upon sensing his aura, his eyes lit up.
"You must be Brother Ji Hongchen?"
"You truly are an impressive young man, a talent worthy of becoming a pillar of our Heaven Dou Empire."
"You flatter me."
Ji Hongchen inclined his head slightly.
He also recognized the person before him: Spirit Hall's young mistress, the future Angel God, and a hopeless romantic who would keep loving even in death.
Qian Renxue!
He had to admit that almost all the villains in Douluo I were hopeless romantics.
Back when he watched the ending of Douluo I.
It had thoroughly sickened Ji Hongchen.
For now, however, the person before him should be the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.
Ning Fengzhi introduced him with a smile. "Hongchen, this is His Highness Xue Qinghe, crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and also my student."
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Ji Hongchen's tone was calm.
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, his voice carrying a little more admiration. "Had I not known beforehand, I would have found it difficult to believe that you were already a Soul Elder at twelve. You know, when I was fourteen, I was still just a naive boy."
"I'm very happy to meet a talented young man like you. If you don't mind, why not call me elder brother? There's no need to bother with 'Crown Prince.'"
Before you continue